Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic in March 2020, triggering important changes for the entire society and healthcare systems, as well as significant lockdown measures aimed to limit the disease spread. We herein intended to catch the dynamic of Romanian physicians’ perceptions of COVID-19 impact. For this purpose, after a literature review, a 30-item questionnaire was designed. The questionnaire was twice distributed online, about 1 month apart, during which partial relaxation measures were decreed in Romania. The questionnaire was voluntarily filled in by Romanian physicians who were willing to participate in the study. A total of 214 physicians answered the questionnaire upon its first release, and 199 respondents were registered upon its second release, most of whom (94.9%) were involved in clinical work, with one-third working in units dedicated to COVID-19 patients. In parallel with the relaxation of lockdown measures, along with increased confidence in the efficiency of protective measures (46.7% vs. 31.3%), separation from household members decreased from 36.9% to 22.1%. Nevertheless, the feeling of rejection felt by doctors remained similar (22.4% vs. 24.6%). Furthermore, answers regarding the clinical picture, diagnostic approach, and treatment options are discussed. Most of therapeutic options considered for SARS-CoV-2 treatment (e.g., lopinavir/ritonavir, oseltamivir, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, tocilizumab, and convalescent plasma) failed to confirm significant efficiency. On the contrary, vaccines for widescale use are already available despite the initial skepticism. In the beginning of the pandemic, 25.2% (18.2% vs. 32.2%) considered that there will not be an effective COVID-19 vaccine, while 41.6% (43.0% vs. 40.2%) thought that a vaccine would be available after at least 12 months. In conclusion, initially, following only a 1 month period, Romanian physicians’ intention to consider treatments such as hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir/ritonavir for COVID-19 decreased significantly. Moreover, confidence in the efficiency of available protective measures increased, and the rates of separation from household members decreased.
Highlights
In late December 2019, a cluster of viral pneumonia cases of unknown origin was reported in Wuhan, China
With regard to the age distribution of the survey participants, there were more seniors over 50 years of age among the respondents of the second questionnaire (17.6% vs. 0.4%), which was paralleled by a higher proportion of more experienced specialists (44.7% vs. 36%)
Remdesivir is recommended in COVID-19 patients with severe disease, while data are insufficient for use in less severe disease [19]
Summary
In late December 2019, a cluster of viral pneumonia cases of unknown origin was reported in Wuhan, China. The causative pathogen of the outbreak was reported to be a novel coronavirus, closely related to those responsible for previous outbreaks, i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS). Coronaviruses typically cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological disease [1,2]. The new virus was identified as SARS-CoV-2, and the associated disease was named COVID-19 [1]. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic [3]. As of December 2020, over 70 million cases and more than 1.5 million deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported [4], despite worldwide efforts in fighting this disease
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
